Selective genotyping of Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris for geosmin association mapping

Geosmin, a degraded sesquiterpene molecule with earthy and musty odor, imbues table beet with its characteristic aroma. Geosmin is heritable and endogenously produced in table beet. This work employed association analysis and selective genotyping of a segregating F2:3 mapping population to seek QTL associated with geosmin concentration in table beet. GBS reads were aligned to sugar beet reference genome EL10.2, and association analysis revealed two QTL for geosmin concentration on B. vulgaris ssp. vulgaris Chromosome 8. This study, the first molecular genetic mapping experiment in table beet, provides the basis for fine mapping or candidate gene investigation of functional loci for this distinctive sensory trait.